PTI not to partake in AJK elections under 'current circumstances'

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), while expressing its unwavering solidarity with the aspirations of the people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir and has decided not to participate in the upcoming elections under the prevailing circumstances.

"Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, while expressing its unwavering solidarity with the aspirations of the people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, their right to self-determination, and their democratic rights, has decided not to participate in the elections under the prevailing circumstances. This is not a political strategy but a principled stance and an expression of solidarity with the Kashmiri people," said a statement issued by the party's central media cell.

The statement asserted that it was not a political strategy but a principled stance adopted by the Party and and an expression of solidarity with the Kashmiri people.

"Azad Kashmir is currently passing through a severe crisis. Thousands of citizens are sitting in protests in Rawalakot and various other areas to press their legitimate demands. Several precious lives have been lost as a result of the use of state force by the government. The supply of essential commodities from Punjab to Azad Kashmir has also been completely stopped, causing immense hardship to the people. Instead of pushing the Kashmiri people further into political instability in such circumstances, an immediate and just solution to their problems should be found," the statement said.

The statement added that the PTI believed that the current measures were undermining the constitutional, democratic, and political identity of Azad Jammu and Kashmir and are creating an environment that is erasing the fundamental distinction between Azad Kashmir and occupied Jammu and Kashmir. This approach is also detrimental to Pakistan’s historical Kashmir policy, it added.

"When the Kashmiri people themselves are protesting, their representative voices are being suppressed, actions are being taken against political workers, leaders are being arrested, restrictions are being imposed on the media, and freedom of expression is being curtailed, the electoral process loses its credibility and meaning in such an environment," the statement reads.

"Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf will not engage in the politics of power by ignoring the voice of the Kashmiri people. Our foremost priority is to support the basic rights of the Kashmiri people, their democratic demands, and a just political process. We will stand with the people, not contest elections," the statement said, asserting that the Party will not participate in the elections until the situation returns to normal, the concerns of all political and public forces are addressed, the matters related to the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) are resolved through mutual understanding, the election schedule is reviewed, and all political parties are provided a truly equal and free electoral environment.

"The focus of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s political campaign will be to raise its voice in support of the democratic rights of the Kashmiri people, their legitimate demands, and for a just resolution of the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC)’s demands. Furthermore, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf announces that all recommendations made by the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Parliamentary Board regarding the distribution of tickets to candidates are hereby suspended forthwith. No further progress will be made on issuing tickets or any stage of the electoral process in view of the current extraordinary circumstances. All such matters will remain deferred until the situation normalizes, the political environment is restored, and a future decision is taken by the Party," the statement said.

"This decision of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf has not been taken on the basis of any political gain or loss but in accordance with the requirements of expressing solidarity with the Kashmiri people, respect for democratic values, and principled politics. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf will not become part of this electoral process until a free, fair, and peaceful political environment is provided for the Kashmiri people," the statement concluded.